Physical Therapy

Kristin R. Sumlar, PT, CEO, Owner

Kristin graduated from the University of Missouri—Columbia with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Physical Therapy in 1992.  Kristin began her career in a traditional hospital setting, but after a year took up the life of a “traveling therapist,” accepting a job which required moving to a new state every three months.  In 1994 she arrived in Alabama and fell in love with the south and Dothan native, Pary Sumlar.  Today, Kristin, Pary, Delaney (born in 2001), Trin (born in 2003), and their pets live in a century-old antebellum home in Ozark where they are active members of their church and frequent visitors to the hardware store.  Although Kristin has worked in every aspect in the field of physical therapy, she feels her true calling is in pediatrics.  She began working with children in 1998, and has concentrated on special interests of hippotherapy and aquatic therapy.  In 2001, Kristin opened Sumlar Therapy, anticipating owning a small business and working five hours per week.  As the business grew, Kristin realized God had other plans, and she is now the owner and CEO of a growing business serving hundreds of children in southeastern Alabama.  For braces and equipment needs, she collaborates often with her husband who is the manager of Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics in Dothan.   Her desire is for Sumlar Therapy to be a helpful and important resource for meeting the needs of the children of the Wiregrass. She looks forward to developing programs and utilizing Sumlar’s facilities in pursuit of that goal. 

Michele Parker Mayo, PTA

Meredith Platt, PTA

Kristi Gatlin, PTA

Paige Wells, PTA

Occupational Therapy

Brooke Quinlivan, OTR/L

Brooke received a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of South Alabama in 2000.  She worked in the Mobile County Public Schools until she moved back to this area and joined Sumlar Therapy in 2006.  She has a strong interest in sensory integration and has taken numerous courses in this subject, as well as continuing education courses in handwriting, low vision, and visual perceptual difficulties.  Brooke especially enjoys a school-based setting as it allows her to work closely with teachers and parents to maximize the children’s progress.  Her flexible work schedule with Sumlar Therapy is a good fit as it allows her to have time with husband Joe, son James, and daughter Kit.  She relaxes with a good book at her home in Headland whenever possible.

Jill Wilson, OTR/L

Jill received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Tuskegee University in 2001.  Since that time, she has worked in hospital and nursing home settings, with additional experience in administration and pediatrics.  She began working primarily in the schools for Sumlar Therapy in 2005.  Jill has a special interest in working with children with autism, and has focused her continuing education in the area of pervasive developmental disorder.  Jill lives in Elba with her husband, Josh, and their two sons.  Jill is involved in a ladies service group in Elba, and teaches children’s choir at her church.

Andrea Thomas Bergman, OTR/L

Lynn Purvis, OTR/L

Lynn graduated from Florida A & M University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1998. She has worked in a variety of settings since then, including skilled nursing, acute care, adult orthopedics, and pediatrics. One of her particular interests is cerebral palsy.  Lynn witnessed her younger brother, a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy, surpass everyone’s expectations in the 1970’s.  Lynn lives with her husband and 2 children in Enterprise where they are actively involved in their church. Her husband, Brent, is a physical therapist.  Lynn joined Sumlar Therapy in 2008.

Tera Andrew, OTR/L

Tera was born and raised in Brewton, AL.  The oldest of four children, she relished the role of being a little mommy as well as playmate to her siblings, inspiring both a sense of youthful enthusiasm and responsibility.  These qualities led her to the health profession of occupational therapy.  Tera received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of South Alabama in 2000 and a Masters of Health Science from the University of Florida in 2004. She has begun work toward a doctorate degree in Health Education.  Tera’s work experience includes pediatrics in outpatient and school settings, adult and geriatric care. She and her husband live in Troy with their daughter, Clare, who was born in 2007.  Tera states, “Clare is opening new doors of purpose in my life.”

Ashley Hunko, COTA/L
Ashley received a degree in occupational therapy from Wallace State, Hanceville, AL in 2007. She worked in a nursing home setting and obtained pediatric outpatient experience in Mobile, AL. Ashley joined Sumlar Therapy in 2008 and is excited to provide Occupational Therapy to children in the Opp City and Covington County School Systems. She resides in Kinston, AL.
 

Speech Therapy

Patty Fenn, MS, CCC-SLP

Patty Fenn received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology from Auburn University in 1990 and a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of  Montevallo in 1994.  She has worked in a variety of setting and loves pediatric therapy. She says it keeps her young.  Patty has worked in school settings, early intervention, and with special needs preschool populations.  Favorite aspects of her field include: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Oral Motor skills and Augmentative therapy. Patty operated a small Speech Therapy Company from August 2001 to June 2007.  This allowed flexibility to be with her husband Jim, and raise their two girls, Pamela Claire and Bailey.  She joined the Sumlar Therapy team as a full time employee in June 2007, after contracting with them for several years.  She loves horseback riding and a variety of water sports.  Therefore, it felt like a childhood dream coming to fruition when hippo and aquatic therapy techniques became modalities of treatment options for her at Sumlar Therapy.  The Ozark native is often referred to as the Cheerleader of Ozark.  She and her family are very involved with the ministries of their local church.  She shares, “I feel blessed to use the talents God has given me to serve these precious children and support their families.”

Julie Dungan, MS, CCC-SLP

Casey Shell, MS, CCC-SLP 

Casey earned her Masters degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Mississippi in 2006, following her Bachelors in Communication Disorders from Harding University.  She has experience working with both children and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings.  She has continued her education by taking courses in Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as Care of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Infant.  She also has studied Boardmaker applications and has special interest in swallowing and feeding disorders, augmentative alternative communication devices, and language development.  She enjoys her work as a speech therapist and looks forward to working with more special children and their parents.  Casey lives in Dothan with her husband, Hunter.  They are active in their church and enjoy traveling and hiking.  Casey also enjoys cake decorating in her spare time.  She joined Sumlar Therapy in 2008.

Amber Jones, MS, CFY-SLP

Tutors

Teresa Bray, Director of Study Center

Teresa comes to Sumlar with 31 years of teaching experience in three states at all grade levels. She has a B.A. in Special Education in Specific Learning Disabilities from the University of West Florida. The daughter of a Methodist minister, Teresa grew up in Ozark and lives here again with her husband, Bill.  Their daughter, Leah, lives in Colorado.  Although Teresa has already retired twice from her job as a school teacher, she comments, “I can’t get teaching out of my blood.”   Her enthusiasm for her work is contagious and as the director of The Study Center she continues to use her vast knowledge and skill to help students succeed.  Teresa joined Sumlar Therapy and The Study Center in 2008.

Office Staff

Freta McCall, Office Administrator

Freta brings to Sumlar Therapy many years of experience in Office Administration.  A native of northwest Florida, Enterprise has been her home for the past 24 years.  In addition to her varied duties at Sumlar, Freta is a devoted grandmother to her two grandsons and a fulltime college student.  She exudes a mature, organized influence over the Sumlar staff and has recently acquired the nickname “Mother Hen” from the therapists.  Freta joined Sumlar Therapy in 2007.

Sally Harrison, Billing Administrator

Sally moved back to her hometown of Ozark in 2000 and joined Sumlar Therapy as billing administrator in April, 2001 after 26 years of service with Royal and SunAlliance Insurance in Atlanta and Tampa.   Her favorite job duty is part-time caretaker for the children of our CEO.  Sally is active in her church where she teaches a Ladies’ Sunday School Class and sings in the choir. She enjoys her granddaughter, pet-sitting, and watching Auburn football.  She has no plans to retire because she is having too much fun. War Eagle!  Sally joined Sumlar Therapy in 2001.

Horse Handler

Mitchell Grantham, Chief Horse Handler

Horses

Cinnamon

Midnight